Liverpool are reported to have joined the race to sign Burnley defender Michael Keane, who is also wanted by Chelsea.

Keane progressed through the Manchester United academy before joining Burnley in a reported £2.5million deal in January 2015 but any potential suitor will have to pay a significantly higher fee to land the 23-year-old fee in the upcoming window.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to have made improving his defensive options a priority despite his side’s fine start to the season.

The Reds are currently fourth with 16 points but they have conceded more Premier League goals than any other top 10 side and are likely to bring in at least one new defender in January.

Keane, who is under contract with the Clarets until 2018, has now been mooted as a target but they will face competition as both champions Leicester and Chelsea remain interested.

The Foxes are understood to have been a £17million bid rejected and it has also been claimed Chelsea saw a £25million offer knocked back before they re-signed David Luiz from Paris Saint-Germain.